Category Archives: Elections

Politics, Messes, Blindness, and Such Stuff

My friend, Joel Watts, is always trying to “out” me as a liberal. I love his effort. It’s futile, but it’s noble.

I am a fiercely political creature. I grew up talking politics and in my young adult years listening to talk radio. I still listen to political news, but with much more sarcasm than before. The days of an individual being able to actually engage an elected official with a meaningful discussion are long gone. No politician will listen to anything other than dollars going into their political campaign accounts.

To be honest, I’ve been a Republican. That’s so hard to type.

The main thing that has always kept me from being a Democrat is I am pro-life. And not just concerning the unborn. There are other key issues, but I am pro-life, and in the Democratic Party you don’t get higher up that city dog catcher if you let it be known you are pro-life. I understand over the last decade or so there have been many evangelicals try to be a part of the Democratic Party and hopefully influence them to a better conversation on the issues of abortion. And that has failed miserably.

The other thing that keeps me from being Democrat are people like Paul Krugman and Keith Olbermann. They are as vitriolic as Rush Limbaugh and Michael Savage, but just like conservatives who live Rush, liberals refuse to acknowledge the foolish things Krugman and Oblermann spew out. Krugman’s column today is a good case. The world would be SOOOO much better without Republicans! All we need are sensible Democrats because there are NOOO extremists in the Democratic Party.

But that’s an easy case to make for me. (And I prepare for the cannon fodder to come.)

But the Republican Party is such an incredible disappointment as well. A colleague of mine has a personal story about how the extreme right of the Republican Party sabotaged his brother’s job. It’s becoming utterly ridiculous.

I have gone through the years of the Republican Party promising the moon to evangelicals on issues like abortion and family values … and then delivering nothing. They would argue, “Well, if we had a SUPER majority in the Senate…”

That was the mantra the Democrats held out going into the 2008 election…

My point is this: They are all sounding the same now. That could have been said 30 years ago as well. The difference 30 years ago was they all sounded the same and stuff could get done. Today, when I say they all sound the same, I mean they are all divisive.

It’s Krugman on the left saying the world would be a better place without the Republicans. It’s Rush on the right railing against anything that sniffs of the Democratic Party. It’s stupid… and no one is stopping it.

Truthfully, as Christians we should have never hitched our wagon to any political party. Evangelicals did it with the Republicans and got burned. Post-moderns are doing it with the Democratic Party and they will find the same result. At first they will just blame the Republicans (like I did the Democrats), and then the realization will slowly sink in: no one is listening. And it leaves a hard knot in your stomach.

A friend of mine who studies Church History loves Francis of Assisi. He tells the story of Francis having friendships with the Crusaders AND the sultans. There were times when Francis would ride between the battle lines calling out prophetically to both sides, urging them to not fight.

Both Democrats and Republicans are incredibly arrogant with their political gamesmanship. It’s foolishness. It’s foolishness to think that if the other party just didn’t exist things would go better. It’s foolishness to think that only YOUR side has something of substance to add to the conversation.

We need healing from our blindness. I know I’ve needed healing from my own blindness.

I want to be able to pastor Democrats AND Republicans. I want to be able to ADD to people’s lives… not destroy them philosophically or with some political rhetoric.

I wish I could mount a horse like Francis of Assisi and ride between the battle lines of the Republicans and Democrats and cry out, “A pox on BOTH your houses!”

Instead, I will take the hits from those who have been offended by turning on the Republicans… or railing against the Democrats.

Such is life.

Hurting the Poor

Usually it’s the Republicans who are bashed for hurting the poor. It turns out the Democrats are equal opportunity cutthroats as well.

Note this:

Once again, politics prevails; the poor and downtrodden are forced to bow before the vested interests. No wonder there’s a surging populist revolt in America. No wonder the ordinary, hard-working American taxpayer is offended by the arrogance of the cultural elite.

We are too often good at talking a good game, and then not following through. Everyone of us. And who gets left out? The poor.


Post-Election Thoughts

1. No matter the political persuasion, and no matter what the future may hold as to policy differences and ideologies, November 4, 2008 was a great day for the United States of America. As I listened to Senator McCain’s incredible concession speech, and then Senator Obama’s incredibly impressive victory speech, I sensed something in my heart from the Lord. Over 200 years as a nation, plus probably over 100 years before that as colonies, has been… changed.

Our Declaration of Independence talks about all men being created equal. Our system of government was set up to give all people equal opportunity. Yet, we had systematically shut out one class: the slaves. It took a Civil War to end slavery, but even since that time it has been a battle to not only speak of equal rights, but deliver on them. Barack Obama recognized that in the very first sentence of his speech last night:

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

On November 4, 2008, the United States of America rose up and did an amazing thing. Of course we could wish for someone else to accomplish it that might fit our own political leanings, but as Obama spoke, I sensed in my spirit a breaking. There was a healing that was flowing. It was deep and from the Spirit of God. Even though “my guy” didn’t win, I was thrilled in my spirit we had reached this moment in American history and I had the opportunity to be witness to it.

2. Barack Obama, on January 20, 2009 will be OUR president. As Christians, we do not disagree so vehemently we get an attitude like we witnessed in the George W. Bush years. It was so disappointing (and I’m being nice here) to see bumper stickers that said, “He’s not MY president.” Do not let that happen as Christians! Not with a Republican or a Democrat. We are called to be better citizens than that!

I will pray for my president. I may disagree on policy at times (or most of the time… we’ll see), but I will pray for him. I respect the office of president. I respect President-elect Barack Obama. In 1992 conservative Christians made a grave mistake disrespecting President Clinton. We do not need to make that mistake again.

3. This is clearly a call for the Church to again be the Body of Christ. We are not to tie our aspirations to the Democratic or Republican parties. We are to keep ourselves before the King of kings and Lord of lords. The arm of flesh will fail us. President-elect Obama will not have all the answers and he will not provide for my needs. It is Christ alone.

I am grateful for this moment in our history. I can get back to disagreeing with policies and ideologies another day. There is plenty of time. Today, in this moment, I want to give thanks to my God for this moment in American history. We’ll sort out all the rest later.


Post-Election Thoughts

1. No matter the political persuasion, and no matter what the future may hold as to policy differences and ideologies, November 4, 2008 was a great day for the United States of America. As I listened to Senator McCain’s incredible concession speech, and then Senator Obama’s incredibly impressive victory speech, I sensed something in my heart from the Lord. Over 200 years as a nation, plus probably over 100 years before that as colonies, has been… changed.

Our Declaration of Independence talks about all men being created equal. Our system of government was set up to give all people equal opportunity. Yet, we had systematically shut out one class: the slaves. It took a Civil War to end slavery, but even since that time it has been a battle to not only speak of equal rights, but deliver on them. Barack Obama recognized that in the very first sentence of his speech last night:

“If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.”

On November 4, 2008, the United States of America rose up and did an amazing thing. Of course we could wish for someone else to accomplish it that might fit our own political leanings, but as Obama spoke, I sensed in my spirit a breaking. There was a healing that was flowing. It was deep and from the Spirit of God. Even though “my guy” didn’t win, I was thrilled in my spirit we had reached this moment in American history and I had the opportunity to be witness to it.

2. Barack Obama, on January 20, 2009 will be OUR president. As Christians, we do not disagree so vehemently we get an attitude like we witnessed in the George W. Bush years. It was so disappointing (and I’m being nice here) to see bumper stickers that said, “He’s not MY president.” Do not let that happen as Christians! Not with a Republican or a Democrat. We are called to be better citizens than that!

I will pray for my president. I may disagree on policy at times (or most of the time… we’ll see), but I will pray for him. I respect the office of president. I respect President-elect Barack Obama. In 1992 conservative Christians made a grave mistake disrespecting President Clinton. We do not need to make that mistake again.

3. This is clearly a call for the Church to again be the Body of Christ. We are not to tie our aspirations to the Democratic or Republican parties. We are to keep ourselves before the King of kings and Lord of lords. The arm of flesh will fail us. President-elect Obama will not have all the answers and he will not provide for my needs. It is Christ alone.

I am grateful for this moment in our history. I can get back to disagreeing with policies and ideologies another day. There is plenty of time. Today, in this moment, I want to give thanks to my God for this moment in American history. We’ll sort out all the rest later.

It was a privilege to vote in this election. What a great time to be voting, regardless of the outcome for president. Our state senate race in Minnesota was far more heated and close, so it will interesting to watch the returns tonight. (I’m a political junkie. I don’t suffer from it. I enjoy it.)

Rom. 13:1ff is an injunction for us, and one I preached on this past Sunday. We, as Christians, need to be responsible citizens and vote, and we need to be responsible Christians and pray. We are to pray, honor and respect those in authority, whether we voted for them or not.

Paul did not drive around with a bumper sticker on his chariot that said, “Don’t blame me, I voted for the other candidate for emperor.”

Help us to live prophetically in our culture, Lord!